The sun warmed her face and arms as they flew higher and higher. If only we could fly like this every day, free as a bird.
Hunter hollered, trying to be heard over the wind, "My ass is getting sore from this shell!"
Lucy smiled. Nothing could bring her down. Not even a sore derrière.
Seeing their magical jungle from this height put everything into a new perspective, and she was shocked to realize how many memories she already had of the place. They passed over the spot where the lizard had attacked her and Hunter, and the grassy knoll where she and Hunter had spent the night together. She saw Mr. K and felt a twinge of sadness, but promised herself that she'd find a way to help him. And then they flew past the spot where she'd buried the sphere. The emptiness of not having it clawed at her, but she pushed it away, happy to be rid of something that had hurt people she loved.
They climbed into the sky, exiting the valley and flying out over the ocean to return to the main island. After several minutes, the giant tents that formed IPI's makeshift headquarters for this mission appeared below, complete with field hospital and everything they'd need to take care of the kids, once freed.
As they descended toward the base, guards aimed their rifles at the giant beetle. Lucy hadn't even thought of what it would look like to storm into camp like this. Why wouldn't they shoot at the beetle after what happened?
Fortunately, no one shot, likely because Simmons arrived and started waving and pointing.
The beetle landed with a powerful thud that traveled up Lucy's spine. A group formed around them, some looking scared and others in awe. The three castaways slid off the beetle.
Simmons walked up and hugged Lucy. "You travel in style, girl." She shook hands with Luke and Hunter. "We were worried about all of you. We thought the beetles had you for lunch, but apparently you domesticated them."
The beetle twitched and turned around, looking for a way out.
"He's more of a friend," Lucy said, "and I'd better say goodbye. All these people make him a bit nervous."
She led it away, then looked into its eyes and rubbed her hand over its face. "Thank you." Her gratitude flowed into it, and she wondered if this is what the ancient Native Americans felt when they communed with nature and spirit guides.
The beetle flew off, glinting like a jewel, and Lucy headed back to Simmons, determined to waste no more time. "We have work to do."
***
Simmons loomed over Lucy, Luke and Hunter as they debriefed her about everything they'd encountered since their disappearance, including Mr. K. The experience reminded Lucy of being back at Rent-A-Kid during a lecture.
"Is there anything you can do for him?" she asked.
"I'm afraid not." Simmons paced in front of them. "But once we take down Rent-A-Kid, we may learn more about what they did to him. We may find a cure."
A cure? Lucy supposed that for Mr. K, anything to transform him back to normal would be considered a cure, but the sneer in Simmons's voice made it apparent she thought all paranormals suffered from a disease—that they all needed to be cured.
Simmons continued. "We need to act as soon as possible to take down the center. There's been movement, and if we wait any longer, we could lose some kids. If you two are ready—"
"We are." Lucy made a fist.
"Good. We start at nightfall. Do you remember the plan?"
"Yes. Cut through the underwater fence under the cover of darkness. Hack into the cameras. Get Luke to the main ventilation system. Use the sleep grenades. Then signal you and your team, who will evacuate the kids." It'd be difficult. Complex. "Sam and her team will be helping with the evacuation."
Simmons's face puckered, but she didn't say anything; Lucy had made it clear that Sam's team wasn't optional.
Beleth's deal popped into Lucy's mind: kill Simmons, and he'd let all the children go. It would be so easy—just draw her gun next time she had Simmons alone, and put a bullet in her head.
So easy. And so hard.
Lucy couldn't kill an innocent woman. Why would Beleth want her dead? Her of all people? Did he simply want to stop the operation? And would he even be able to release the kids? Surely, his proposal was a trick.
But maybe it was something more.
Simmons continued to stand over them, using that subtle psychological play to establish dominance, a white board behind her showing their plans. Lucy shuddered, as Simmons was like one of the teachers at Rent-A-Kid—using them, and smiling through it all.
The calm Lucy had maintained during their flight evaporated in the heat of her anger.
Luke touched her hand. "You okay, Sis?"
"Yeah, just tired." And angry. Angry at Rent-A-Kid, angry at Beleth, and now, angry at Simmons. They all connected; she just couldn't see the pieces yet.